Deacon Fernando L. Bestard
Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery (click here for days and times of services)

Deacon Bestard, born in Guantanamo, Cuba, arrived at Miami in 1961 and became a US citizen 9 years later. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Miami and went on to work for Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) for over 35 years. Deacon Bestard was responsible for the administration of the Industrial Waste Pretreatment Program in accordance with Federal and State of Florida guidelines.

Some of Deacon Bestard’s everyday responsibilities at the cemetery include meeting with family members and counseling them through a difficult time, presiding over funerals, memorials and cremations, and also serves as the Coordinator of Bereavement Ministry in the Archdiocese of Miami.

Deacon Bestard was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in 1998. He was assigned to St. Timothy Parish where he served in the Outreach Program, providing assistance to the homeless.